The University

USC System Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

The primary mission of the University of South Carolina System is to provide outstanding education, research, creative activity, community engagement, and service that drives community and economic impact for benefit of the state, nation, and world. This public university system serves students from its flagship Columbia campus, three comprehensive universities (Aiken, Beaufort, and Upstate), and four regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union).

The University of South Carolina System offers degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning formats and modalities, degree programs are offered in the following areas:  arts and sciences; business; education; engineering and computing; hospitality, retail, and sport management; information and communications; law; medicine; music; nursing; pharmacy; public health; and social work.

The University of South Carolina System confers nearly 40% of all bachelor’s and graduate degrees awarded at public institutions in South Carolina, giving the system a profound relevance, reach, and impact on the people of the state. Through engagement in nationally and internationally recognized research, scholarship, service, and artistic creation, the University of South Carolina System imbues its students with the hallmarks of the highest-quality education, including the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success and responsible citizenship in a complex and changing world.

USC Salkehatchie Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

The Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus is a branch campus of the University of South Carolina Columbia. Salkehatchie has as its mission to provide higher education and intellectual leadership, contributing to the primary mission of the University of South Carolina System so stated as “outstanding education, research, creative activity, community engagement, and service that drives community and economic impact or the benefit of the state, nation, and world.” At the heart of this mission is a teaching faculty of high quality dedicated to excellence in instruction, scholarship, public and professional service and creative endeavor which enrich the classroom experience. The Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus offers a varied curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and focused on preparing students to continue their education in the University of South Carolina System and throughout life.

The Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus recruits students prepared to succeed in completing a baccalaureate‐level education. While the institution does not offer remedial instruction, it is nonetheless able to admit most students who apply due to the close working relationship between students and faculty. The original design of the institution incorporated a flexibility that has allowed changes in institutional capability with increasing educational demands of constituents.

Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning formats and modalities, the institution awards the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and provides for the completion of selected bachelor’s degrees on campus through cooperative agreements and delivery structures with other University of South Carolina System institutions. The Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus also provides general education and upper division coursework applicable to baccalaureate degree programs offered through colleges and universities nationwide. In addition to academic coursework, the mission of the campus includes noncredit courses, seminars, and workshops made available to the community for cultural enrichment and professional development.

The traditions of cultural diversity and freedom of thought are valued at the Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus. In a learning environment that develops respect for racial, geographical, intellectual, and economic diversity and an awareness of individual, societal, and global responsibilities, Salkehatchie promotes courses, activities, and attitudes that instill in students a thirst to continue learning throughout life.

The Salkehatchie regional Palmetto College campus emphasizes the development of the whole person and especially seeks to foster in students the disciplines essential to an educated citizenry. Core competencies, including the ability to communicate through effective writing and articulate speech; computational and quantitative mastery; creative and critical thinking; and the duties of citizenship are strategically integrated within the curriculum. Classroom experiences, student activities, and physical education programs also provide opportunities for cultural enrichment, leadership development, intellectual growth and interpersonal relationships, all contributing to a sense of self‐reliance and a joy of learning.

Accreditation

The University of South Carolina Columbia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.  The regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union) are branch campuses of the University of South Carolina Columbia; the branch campuses’ accreditation is dependent on the continued accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

USC System Officers

Michael Amiridis, President
Donna Arnett, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Ed Walton, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Stacy Fritz, Chief of Staff
Larry Thomas, Vice President for Communications
Michelle Dodenhoff, Vice President for Development
Julian R. Williams, Vice President for Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement 
Caroline Agardy, Vice President for Human Resources
Beth Brigdon, Interim Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Julius Fridriksson, Vice President for Research
J. Rex Tolliver, Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support
Scott Verzyl, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Bill Kirkland, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement
Walter “Terry” Parham, General Counsel and Executive Director of Compliance Programs
Ray Tanner, Director of Athletics

Western Carolina Commission for Higher Education

Reid Boylston III, Barnwell County, Chair
Jacqueline Callender, Colleton County
Rad Free, Bamberg County
Jimmy Frank, Colleton County
Lari Gooding, Allendale County
Rose Ann Mixson, Hampton County
Holbrook Platts, Hampton County
Belton O. Sanders IV, Allendale County
Terrell Tuten, Barnwell County
Vacant, Bamberg County

USC Salkehatchie Administration

April Cone, DNP, Dean
Sarah Miller, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Brandon Wright, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management and Student Success
Jessica W. All, M.B.A., Director of Business Operations
Laura Atkinson, M.B.A., Director of Human Relations
Patricia Fears, Ed.D., Director of Elementary Education Program
April Wolfe, M.S.N., Director of Nursing Program
Dan Johnson, M.L.I.S, Head Librarian

USC Salkehatchie Community Outreach

Jackson Alexander, Director of USC Salkehatchie Community Outreach

USC Salkehatchie Academic Support Staff

Jackson Alexander, Director of Salk Leadership Inst.
Jessica All, Director Business & Campus Operations
Danielle Aquino, Women's Volleyball Coach
Laura Atkinson, Director of Human Resources
Jennifer Breland, Administrative Assistant
Carmen Brown, Registrar
Margaret Carter, Executive Assistant to the Dean
Brenda Chisolm, Custodial Worker
April Cone, Dean
Bella Davis, Custodial Worker
George Dukes, Head Women's Basketball Coach
Bob Fields, Custodial Worker
Thomas Flowers, Custodial Worker
Willette Gant, Financial Aid Counselor
William Glass, Soccer Coach
Juliana Glynn, Regional Admissions Representative
Suzanne Goodson, Program Coordinator II
Jessica Goodwin, East Campus Librarian
Christopher Green, Director of Recruitment
Rocshe Green, Administrative Assistant
Timothy Gregory, Custodial Worker
Stephanie Gruber, Public Information Coordinator
James Herndon, Trades Specialist III
Douglas Hewett, Administrative Assistant
Brenda Hightower, Health and Safety Coordinator
Elizabeth Hogg Williams, Education Partnership Coordinator
Lomattie Hutchinson, Library Assistant
Nia Jackson, Admissions Recruiter
Daniel Johnson, Library Manager West Campus
Jeremy Joye, Director of Athletics, Head Men's Baseball Coach
Allison Kitler, Director, Scholars Program
Gwendolyn Lee, Apple Lab Coordinator
Matthew Lynch, Men's Basketball Head Coach
Christopher Maggio, Apple Lab Coordinator
Patricia Nesmith, Advisor
Kenneth Padgett, Facilities Director
Laurel Phipps, Recruiter/Admissions Counselor
Raymond Potts, Assistant Director of IT
Isaac Robinson III, Admissions Recruiter
Haley Rowe, Student Advisor
Stephanie Sanders, Administrative Specialist II
Dwight Shabazz, Build/Grounds Spec. III
Joyce Shaffer, Library Assistant
Amy Stanley, Accountant/Fiscal Analyst II
Robert Thomas, Assistant  Alum, Athletics/Student Services
Gayle Walsh,  Director Information Tech
Leroy Wiggins III, Women's Soccer Coach
April Williams, Administrative Assistant
George Ann Williams, Financial Aid Director
Jessica Williams, Disability Svcs Specialist
Ashleigh Wilson, IT Help Desk Manager
Brandon Wright, Assistant Dean

Faculty

Carolyn Banner, Instructor,  University Life, Ph.D., Walden University
Shannon Belangia, Instructor, English M.A., University of South Carolina
Tara Boswell, Instructor, Elementary Education, B.A., USC Aiken
Francis Burns, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Ph.D., University of Toledo
Sharon Cawley, Instructor, Theater M.F.A., University of Georgia
David Cherry, Instructor, Business M.B.A., University of Georgia
Ana Cueto, Adjunct Faculty, Spanish M.A., University of South Carolina
David Dangerfield, Assistant Professor, History Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Constance Ferguson, Instructor, English M.A., Ohio State University
Carmela Gottesman, Associate Professor, Psychology, Ph.D., University of Delaware
Roy Hollingsworth, Instructor, Rural Sociology, Ph.D., Union Inst. & University
Kirsten Iden Lindmark, Assistant Professor, English, Ph.D., Auburn University
Lesley Jamison, Instructor, Management, M.A., Webster University
Allen Kanapala, Instructor, Computer Science & Engineering, M.S., University of South Carolina
Eran Kilpatrick, Professor, Biology Ph.D., Clemson University
Wei-Kai Lai, Professor, Mathematics, Ph.D., University of Mississippi
Brian Lindmark, Assistant Professor, Engineering, Ph.D., Auburn University
Christopher Love, Associate Professor, English, Ph.D., University of Maryland
Tricia Luthman, Instructor, Marriage and Family Therapy, M.A., Northcentral University
Ahron Mack, Instructor, Speech, M.A., Northern Illinois University
Frank Martin,  Instructor, Art History, M.A., CUNY Hunter College
Joslyn Mccully, Instructor, English, M.A., Clemson University
Conrad Mehlenbacher, Professor, Art and Theater, M.F.A., University of South Carolina
Sarah Miller, Professor, History, Ph.D., University of Toledo
Daniel Milligan, Instructor, Sociology, M.S., Indiana State University
Justin Mogilski, Assistant Professor, Philosophy in Evolutionary Psychology, Ph.D., Oakland University
Palaniappa Molian, Instructor, Materials Science & Engineering, Ph.D., Oregon Graduate Center
David, Moore, Instructor, Medical Science, M.S., North Greenville University               
Fidele Ngwane, Professor, Mathematics, Ph.D., Auburn 
Chester Palmer, Instructor, Political Science, University of Northern Colorado               
Lokendra Paudel, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Ph.D., New Mexico State 
John Peek, Senior Instructor, Criminal Justice, M.S., University of South Carolina              
Melissa Rack, Assistant Professor, English, Ph.D., University of Tennessee    
Jacob Rivers, Instructor, English, Ph.D., University of South Carolina        
Lisa Rosof, Instructor Counseling, M.A., Webster University         
William Sandifer, Instructor, University Life, Ph.D., South Carolina State University      
Larry Saunders, Instructor, Criminal Justice, B.A., University of South Carolina            
Martin Shealy, Instructor, Biology, Doctor of Chiropractic, Life University    
Scott Sinisi, Instructor, Secondary Education, M.Ed., USC Columbia       
Joseph Siren, Senior Instructor, History, M.A., Auburn University 
Ivey Smoak, Instructor, School & Counseling Psychology, Ed.D., Polytechnic Institute and State University               
Rodney Steward, Associate Professor, History, Ph.D., Auburn University 
Larry Strong, Instructor, Mathematics, Ph.D., University of Mississippi, Instructor; Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Sherri Sullivan, Instructor, Music, M.A., University of South Carolina      
Jason Ulmer, Instructor, Management, M.S., Southern Weslyn University 
Yasmina Vallejos-Moreno, Assistant Professor, Language & Culture, Ph.D., Purdue University               
April Wolfe, Clinical Instructor, Nursing, M.S., University of Phoenix           
Benjamin Wooster, Instructor, Philosophy, Ph.D., University of Oregon          
Margaret Young, Instructor, Foreign Language, Spanish, M.A., University of South Carolina 

Emeriti Faculty

Arthur H. Mitchell, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, History, Ph.D., University of Dublin
John D. Spooner, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Biology, Ph.D., University of Florida
Lawrence D. Strong, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, Ph.D., University of Mississippi
Hussein Zeidan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Chemistry, Ph.D., University of Mississippi
Ann C. Carmichael, Dean Emerita, Ph.D., University of South Carolina

History

The center was eventually named USC Salkehatchie after the river that runs through all five counties that support the campus, but initially it was named after its first location, Allendale. A former elementary school in Allendale provided the first building for the new campus and the institution’s academic program was launched in the fall of 1965 with eight part-time faculty and 76 students. From these beginnings the campus quickly grew. The following school year student enrollment nearly doubled, and soon community leaders persuaded the legislature to provide additional support. The University appointed a regional provost and took several additional measures to strengthen all of its regional campuses. Campus directors were given power to formulate budgets, and the state legislature began to provide a per-student contribution. At USC Salkehatchie, residents’ needs and dedicated recruiting efforts led to a steady increase in student numbers. 

Moreover, two four-year degrees serving the needs of the region have been offered at USC Salkehatchie though partnerships with other  campuses.  The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program is conducted in partnership with USC Aiken.  The core requirements are completed as USC Salkehatchie courses.  Upper-level courses, administered through USC Aiken and taught by its faculty, can also be completed at the USC Salkehatchie campus.  The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is conducted in partnership with the Nursing Department at USC Beaufort. General education and lower-level courses (the first three semesters of the degree program) are completed as USC Salkehatchie courses.  Upper-level nursing courses are offered on the USC Salkehatchie campus through USC Columbia with most clinical practice in local hospitals and clinics. 

Beyond the classroom, USC Salkehatchie has thriving intercollegiate sports teams that compete at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) level.  Organized athletics at USC Salkehatchie began in 1972 with club-sport basketball.  By 1976 a basketball team entered NJCAA competition.  Today USC Salkehatchie fields seven teams that compete at the NJCAA level: baseball, men’s basketball, men’s soccer, softball, women’s basketball, women's soccer, and women’s volleyball.  These programs contribute to the diversity of the student body, and home games are events to which many local residents enthusiastically rally.

Beginning in 1978, USC Salkehatchie reached out to Walterboro by offering six courses there for the convenience of Colleton County residents. In the fall of 1982, the former Walterboro High School building and support facilities became vacant, allowing Salkehatchie to establish a permanent second location to its campus holdings. In 1991 the campus commission purchased additional acreage, providing a permanent site for USC in the historic district of downtown Walterboro. In 1994, the campus opened the Peden McLeod Library. This library, located near the main building, is named after strong USC supporter, Walterboro resident, and former state Senator Peden McLeod. In 2004, Colleton County donated two additional buildings to the campus that are now the Walterboro Science and Nursing Building and the Student Commons and Conference Center. With expansion, USC Salkehatchie’s total holdings surpassed 200 acres. Today, nearly 100 courses are offered in Walterboro each semester, enabling residents of that area to work toward a variety of college degrees.

Academic Organization

The highest academic officer on the Salkehatchie campus is the associate dean for academic and student affairs (“academic dean”). The faculty is organized in two divisions.

The divisions are divided to include the disciplines of geography, criminal justice, government, history, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology. English, foreign languages, music, speech, and theater. And the other includes biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, psychology, and statistics. Accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, education, nursing, office administration, and physical education.

Current officers are:

  • Academic Dean, Interim: Sarah E. Miller, Ph.D.
  • Division Chair, C. Bryan Love
  • Division Chair, Wei-Kai Lai

General Education Goals

Upon completing core curriculum requirements, USC Salkehatchie degree-seeking students will possess the following skills and demonstrate knowledge in the following content areas.

Skills

  1. Oral and Written Communication
    • orally communicate clearly and effectively
    • write compositions that are sufficiently coherent, unified, and developed
    • write prose that is clear, understandable, and free from such errors in grammar and mechanics as would obstruct reader comprehension
    • have knowledge of library research methods and mechanics
    • read with understanding
  2. Computational and Numerical
    • make good consumer decisions
    • read and interpret mathematical information contained in newspapers and magazines
    • demonstrate calculator competency
    • solve problems using the basic properties and operations of mathematics
    • demonstrate computer competency
  3. Critical Thinking
    • use inductive and deductive reasoning to draw conclusions
    • recognize bias in reasoning
    • recognize inconsistencies in reasoning

Content Areas

  1. Humanities
    • understand the basic elements of fiction, poetry, and drama
    • analyze works of literature in the three major genres of fiction, poetry, and drama
  2. Natural Sciences
    • understand the scientific method
    • understand the application of scientific principles to daily life
  3. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    • understand and critically analyze the behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions in society
    • understand the cultural, political, economic, or social contexts and developments that shape people’s lives

Students who attend USC Salkehatchie with the intent of transferring to a baccalaureate degree granting institution without earning an associate’s degree will possess the knowledge and skills to do upper-level work at those institutions.

Service Goals for USC Salkehatchie

  • to increase the availability of a variety of cultural and recreational experiences to students and the community
  • to provide increased opportunities to community members for enrollment in credit and noncredit continuing education offerings
  • to increase links between USC Salkehatchie and the area business community
  • to encourage increased usage of library services by members of the community

Special Programs and Opportunities

Nondegree Seeking Students

Students who wish to take courses for personal interest and who are not interested in pursuing a degree may apply to USC Salkehatchie as nondegree seeking students and be admitted for no more than 30 credit hours through a simplified admissions process.

Palmetto College

Palmetto College is part of the USC system, offering convenient campus locations and online bachelor’s degree completion programs for all South Carolina students

Students  will begin on one of our four Palmetto College campuses, where they will receive their first two years of college credit. USC Lancaster and USC Union in the northern part of the state, USC Salkehatchie in the low country and USC Sumter in between are all options to complete the first 45 credit hours.

Finish Online

Once the student  has  45 credit hours from any accredited college, he or she can complete his or her bachelor’s degree online.  And because Palmetto College is part of the USC system, a Palmetto college diploma will carry the same credibility and weight as any other four-year degree from the University of South Carolina.

This is the complete list of the 24 Palmetto College Majors:

  • Applied Computer Science, Cybersecurity
  • Business Administration with an Accounting Concentration
  • Business Administration with a Management Concentration
  • Communication
  • Communication, Public Relations
  • Criminal Justice
  • Criminal Justice, Crime Analytics
  • Elementary Education
  • Emerging Media
  • Engineering Technology Management
  • English
  • Health Informatics
  • Hospitality Management
  • Human Services
  • Information Management and Systems
  • Liberal Studies
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Public Health
  • Public Health (BA and BS)
  • Psychology (BA and BS)
  • RN-BSN Nursing
  • Sociology
  • Special Education

Opportunity Scholars

The Opportunity Scholars Program at USC Salkehatchie is a Student Support Services program funded by a federal TRIO grant. The program provides eligible students with services such as tutoring, academic advisement, and financial-aid advisement. The ultimate goal of all these services is to help students earn their baccalaureate degree.

For more information, contact the office at 803-584-3446, extension 251, or stop by the Opportunity Scholars Program office on either campus.

University 101

University 101 is a three-hour seminar course open for credit only to freshmen and other undergraduate students (i.e. transfer students) in their first semester at USC Salkehatchie. This course provides an introduction to the nature and importance of university education and a general orientation to the functions and resources of the University.

The course helps new students adjust to the University, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. It also provides students a support group in a critical year by examining problems common in the new-student experience. Extensive reading and writing assignments relevant to the student’s college experience are required.

Organized in small groups of 20-25 students, University 101 is taught by faculty members and administrative personnel who have a special interest in working with new students. The course may be taken as part of a student’s regular load or as an overload. Course credit is awarded on a letter-grade basis. Credit is applicable as elective credit toward almost all baccalaureate degrees offered by the University.

Baccalaureate Degree Course Work

The Salkehatchie campus of the University of South Carolina offers courses that may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by other institutions. Students may choose from a number of major fields of study. For a complete list of academic programs offered at Salkehatchie, see Academic Programs.

Community Outreach

Salkehatchie Leadership Institute

The USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute was created in 1998 by a collaborative of local, state, and federal entities. The primary mission is to stimulate economic development in the rural counties of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Hampton in South Carolina. The Institute has continued to build partnerships and coalitions locally, regionally, and on a statewide basis to facilitate leadership development, community development, and economic development. Since its inception, the Institute has served over 2000 youth and adults through leadership training and workshops and has been instrumental in generating over $14 million in grant funding for county, community, and economic development programs. The Center also serves as an ambassador for rural counties, with representatives serving on numerous local and regional boards as a voice for the needs of rural communities. Since 1998, the legislature has provided recurring below the line funding that partially funds personnel for the Institute. This investment has been extremely beneficial for the area served. Other major funding has been provided by USDA Rural Development.

Goals
  • Serve as a catalyst for economic development in the five-county region.
  • Provide leadership training for high school students, adults, and local officials.
  • Provide small business development training and technical assistance through a referral relationship wth the Small Business Administration.
  • Provide technical assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations, to assist with sustainability and project development.
  • Support economic development through job creation.
  • Collaborate with community organizations and USC team leaders to make this a successful model project for other rural communities.
Program Description

The Institute operates through three Centers to carry out its mission.

  1. Center for Business Development
    Goal - Serve as a catalyst for economic development for the region
    Successful small businesses are the basis for a stable and vigorous economy. The Center coordinates small business training and technical assistance to current and prospective business owners. Services include small business classes, hands-on business counseling, and assistance with
  2. Center for Leadership Development
    Goal - Strengthen Leadership and Building Human Capacity
    Dynamic Leadership is essential for the creation and sustainability of economic development. The Center now provides 9 leadership programs that serve more than 100 people annually. These programs serve both youth and adults ranging from basic leadership training for emerging leaders to advanced training for existing leaders. Basic to these programs is the emphasis on community involvement and connectivity
  3. Center for Community Development
    Goal - Serve as a resource center for community development
    Coalitions and collaborations are essential for the best use of scarce resources. - The center serves as a resource center and a central point of reference for groups and organizations to facilitate community development in the five-county region. The center builds and maintains partnerships and collaborations to work on solutions for community problems and to strengthen fund-seeking efforts.

Speaker’s Bureau

Salkehatchie faculty and administration have formed a speaker’s bureau, with all members of faculty and administration available to speak on their individual disciplines or special interests. Listings of speakers are available to schools, civic groups, and the general public through the academic dean’s office.